Trevi Trouble

"Unbelievable!" I exclaimed as I ran my fingers through my hair. "How dare he do this to me!"

When we arrived in Rome, the first thing that Axel did was to drop me off in a hotel.

"You just need to enjoy the nice view," Mason said as he look straight at me with a smile.

"What view are you talking about? The walls?" I snapped. "Aren't you mad and bored that you're stuck here?"

Mason glanced at his surroundings and shrugged. "Not really because you're here. With you around everything seems entertaining." He said sweetly.

I rolled my eyes at his statement. "Save your lines to someone else, lover boy."

"I'm wounded!" He said faking the hurt expression as he clutch his chest.

"I thought he's willing to let me go with him. How come he left me again inside this place and..and..." I paused and look around. We're currently inside the living room of the suite that the almighty Montblanc rented. In every corner, I see men wearing black suits. "With a bunch of bodyguards!"

"Relax, I'm still here." Mason said.

I shot him a glare. "You're no different than the rest of them. In fact you're worse than them!"

Mason just smiled at my accusation.

"To think that he let me go with him in Rome." I whined. "Only to get stuck inside a hotel suite." I said grumpily before I sit in the couch.

Mason sit on my side and said, "Hey love, smile."

"Don't talk to me." I snapped.

He laughed. "Aw... the little princess is whining. Cute."

"I'm not little! You're just taller." I said before facing the opposite direction. I don't want to see his face. It reminded me of the events that had occurred earlier today when he volunteered that he'll keep an eye on me as Axel and Dianara dragged Marshall with him at some meeting.

"Wanna go out?" He suddenly proposed.

He immediately caught my attention. Slowly, I turn towards him.

"Go out where?" I asked.

"Out. As in outside. Or do you prefer to call it a date?" Mason said flashing me his signiture flashy smile.

"Really?" I asked unable to believe the things he's spouting.

"Why not? He said that I'll watch over you. He never said that I'll restrain or lock you up inside this suite." He said as a matter of fact.

This time, the smile that I've been hiding surfaced.

"Shall we?" He said offering me his arm.

Giving him the brightest smile that I can manage, I said "Let's go then!" before looping my arm around his arm. "But this is not a date." I clarified.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, my love." He said before getting out of the room.

***

"Where are we heading?" I asked excitedly like a child. We're currently inside the two door car that Mason called his baby. It was an Aston Martin One-77.

"You'll see."

It was only a short ride when he parked his car near a building and got out. He opened the door for me and offered me his hand which I gladly take.

When I was out of the car, a middle-aged man wearing a white apron approached us. Mason throw him his keys and the man catch it with his left hand.

"Non lasciare un ammaccatura ti uccidero." (Don't leave a dent or I'll kill you) He said to the man smiling. I don't understand what he said, but I think it has something to do with the car because of the car keys.

"Non ti preoccupare. Non lo fard." (Don't worry, I won't.) The man laughed. The man's attention shifted to me. He gave me a heartwarming smile and said in English, "If this man try anything funny, just scream pervert. The cops will get him immediately."

"Hey!" Mason protested.

I laughed. "I will. Thanks for the advice."

"I'll definitely kill him," I heard Mason muttered silently before he started walking ahead of me.

"I uh..." I started before turning to the man at my side. "Ciao." I said waving him good bye.

"Who was that?" I asked after catching up with his pace.

"An old friend." He answered curtly before wrapping his hand around my wrist and said, "Let's go!"

I willingly followed him wherever he wants to be like an obedient child. We passed by several shops that sells food and souvenirs. Even though it's almost dark, the streets are full of people. He led me inside a small shop where you can see a small bike parked outside. It says to the signboard, Gelateria Valentino.

We entered the shop and was greeted by a smiling old woman on the other side of the counter full of different flavors of ice cream, "Bouna Sera!" (Good evening!). Then, her gaze landed to the person on my side. The old woman's face brighten. "Mason? Come sta? È bello rivederti." (Mason? It's good to see you again. How are you?)

"Sto bene, grazie, e Lei?" (I'm well, thanks, and you?) Mason replied with a smile. Judging from the looks of it, I think the two of them knew each other.

"Va benissimo!" (Things are going great!) The old woman says with enthusiasm and shifts her gaze towards me. "Chi è la tua amica? (Who's your lady friend?)" She asked.

Mason glance on my side before saying, "Questa è Tasha, mia amica."

"Pensavo fosse la tua ragazza. (I thought she's your girlfriend.)" The old woman said.

Mason smiled. "E lei , ma non lo sa ancora (She is, but she doesn't know it)." He said and finishing his sentence with a wink.

The woman suddenly laughs.

I look at them back and forth. I'm completely clueless as to what they are talking about.

"Nice to meet you, Tasha!" The woman happily greeted in English. "I'm Cecilia."

I gave her a smile. "Nice to meet you too, Cecilia." I said politely. If it wasn't for the glass counter and a few ice cream cones pilled up in front of us, I would've shake her hand.

"What flavor do you want bella?" She suddenly asked when she caught me looking at the counter where the ice cream is stored.

"I-um..." I looked at Mason. Unsure of what to say because I don't have a single cent on my name as of this moment. He immediately guess what's wrong and gave me a reassuring smile.

"Pick whatever you like." He said with an underlying meaning: It's my treat.

"I want that one," I said as I point at the cookies and cream flavor.

"I'll have the same Cecilia," Mason said.

Cecilia started doing her job and when she's handing us our cones, she said, "Aww... young love."

Mason takes the cones and handed my share. Mason paid before we bid the old woman goodbye.

"See you soon!" Cecilia said as we exit the shop.

"I noticed," I started saying as we walk.

"Noticed what?"

"You lived here before."

Mason shakes his head in disagreement.

"My mom and stepfather live here so I visit this place from time to time."

"That explains it. The towns people seems to know you. I just observed since I don't know what you guys are talking about." I said before I liked at my ice cream. "Thanks for the treat!"

"Who says it's my treat?" He joked.

"Fine then," I swallowed the remaining piece of ice cream and cone on my mouth. After I was done, I said, "You can't return what was already gone. Right?"

A shadow of emotion pass through his face for a moment. Before I can even comprehend what it was, Mason laughed.

"But you still owe me."

"Charge it on Axel's bill. Triple it if you want. I don't care what he'll say."

"Really? I'm sure he'll ask why I'm charging him," He teases.

"No way you'll tell him!"

"Try me,"

In a flash, I hold Mason's remaining ice cream and smeared his nose using it.

"Oh fuck!"

I laughed so hard and started to run away from him. The sight of him, a man wearing a suit, with a cone of ice cream on his hand and an ice cream filled nose is priceless.

He chased after me with intentions of doing the same.

"You'll pay for this Tasha once I caught you!" I heard him shouted.

I laugh as I ran passed several people. When I turn to the corner, a breathtaking sight caught my attention. I stop dead on my tracks when I saw a beautiful baroque styled fountain.

I wanted to approach the fountain but it was packed with so many people. I made my way towards the crowd until I made it to the front. It was a struggle, but the ending is worth it. I took out the phone that Axel gave me when we tried to infiltrate Mr. Alastair's mansion and took a photo. I know the phone contains a tracking device because Axel always knew where I went and the only item that I always carry was my necklace and the phone, but I still carry it with me. Probably because there a small part of me that wanted him to know where I was even if he's overbearing and insensible.

I turn on my right and saw a guy wearing a gray suit. He is tall and has broad shoulders. He has black hair and a clean shaven face. He's looking at the fountain in deep thought, then he took something out of his pocket and threw it in the fountain.

Oh. I guess he's busy making a wish a while ago.

I tried to look for a coin inside my pocket. I wanted to make a wish too, but sadly, I have none.

I sighed in disappointment.

I turn around and leave. I need to look for Mason first because my 'oh-so-great' stunt I pulled earlier made him lose sight of me.

A sudden chill run down through my spine. Is it just me? Why do I feel like someone is watching me?

I turn to the corner and a bulky man with a bald head greeted me. "Boo," he said.

I gasp and take a step back.

"Timothy, don't scare our guest." A familiar voice said.

Before I can even recognize the owner of the voice, I felt a sharp pain on the side of my neck and the next thing I saw is darkness.

"Sleep, my dear. Everything will be over soon."

End of Chapter 40

Unedited Chapter.
Please correct my Italian sentences if you think it's wrong. First of all, I'm not an Italian (I know nothing about their language even though I find it very interesting). Second, I asked my friend to translate it for me. Lastly, he's not a native Italian. He just know the language, but not very fluent.

Just sharing what I saw at the cafe yesterday. 
Life is short, so live it to the fullest.

In case you didn't noticed, I love taking food pictures 🙈. Sorry for making people drool every time I update. 😂

Next Chapter: Chapter 41 — Black and Gray